SUNIL DAMODAR GAIKWAD vs STATE OF MAHARASHTRA

The Supreme Court examined the provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure, particularly Section 354(3), which mandates that courts must provide special reasons for imposing a death sentence, establishing that life imprisonment is the default punishment for murder. The Court emphasized the legislative shift towards cautious application of capital punishment, indicating that death sentences should be exceptional and justified with clear reasoning. The judgment reinforces the principle that the imposition of the death penalty must be approached with extreme caution and thorough justification, aligning with the evolving standards of criminal jurisprudence in India.